Diffuser for producing a uniform jet of unlimited width.



F. O. WICKEL. DIFFUSER FOR PRODUCING A UNIFORM JET OF UNLIMITED WIDTH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1911. 1, 5,3 1 3, Patented Jan. 27, 191

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. G. WIGKEL. DIFFUSER FOR PRODUCING A UNIFORM JET OF UNLIMITED WIDTH.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 18, 1911.

Patented Jan. 27, 19145 8 SHBETB-SHEET 2.

Wz'inesses F. G. WICKBL. DIFFUSER FOR. PRODUCING A UNIFORM JET 0F UNLIMITED WIDTH. APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1911.

1,085,231 3, Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

[4 277263863 iwmmiar:

O FFTGE.

FRITZ C. 'WTUKEL, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

DIFFUSER FOB PRODUCIN G A UNIFORM JET OF UNLIMITED WIDTH.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

Application filed M33118, 1911. Serial No. 628,109.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRrrz C. WioKnL, chemist, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at 5 Rue Michel Chasles, Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Diffusers for Producing a Uniform Jet of Unlimited Width, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a diffuser for producing a uniform jet of unlimited width.

In recent times the practice of applying liquids such as paints and the like by means of diffusers has replaced the previous method of applying them with a brush. More or less good forms of such diffusers have become known in a large number, which fulfil their purpose in all instances, in which small quantities of liquid are to be applied to a given space of limited size, the diffuser being manipulated in a skilled hand. With the known diffusers the liquid say paint, glue or the like is applied in a similar manner as with the brush, but with a much greater speed, and gradually in a uniform manner over the whole breadth of a given surface. If large surfaces have to be covered the same part will have to be several times gone over in order to obtain a uniform coat, This is the consequence of the fact that the jet of paint produced by the diffuser in any case approximately has the shape of a hollow cone, in the point of which is the maximum quantity of paint. Toward the base of the cone the specific quantity of paint will gradually decrease, so that here the paint or other liquid sprayed on to the respective surface will thin out into a mere faint line. If now wide surfaces are to be covered at a time, much difficulty will be encountered in consequence of the uneven application. So it has been tried to couple a plurality of pneumatic single nozzle difiusers so as to be able to cover large surfaces in a rapid and uniform manner. If the orifices of these nozzles are arranged parallel to each other, streaks of an uneven color will be produced on a band of paper or the like moved along in front of them; if the nozzles are given a reciprocating motion these streaks will have a zigzag shape. If the individual nozzles are arranged at convergent angles somewhat more favorable results are obtained, provided the article to be covered is at exactly the proper distance from the nozzles, the

cones of paint do not meet unevenly, no nozzles become choked, a sufficient number of nozzles is employed at the same time and these are attended in a fully uniform manner with regard to the supply of paint and compressed air. These favorable results will, however, disappear as soon as the slightest disturbance occurs. Disturbances are, however, almost unavoidable, as it will be extremely difiicult to combine all the hereinbeforestated conditions, as each diffuser nozzle is an independent apparatus. The uniform painting of articles having any considerable width is therefore practically impossible with the known means. Much greater ditliculties are, however, encountered, and any defects become the more apparent, if moving articles such as bands of paper or fabric are to be uniformly covered with paint-or another liquid. This was hitherto only possible if the speed of such band was extremely slow, and even then the formation of streaks could not be avoided altogether. Another diiiiculty is encountered in the varying composition of the liquids to be applied and the varying quantity of liquid to be applied at a time, so that the difficulties and sources of defects grow enormously with the apparatus hitherto known.

The present invention relates to a diffuser which has the purpose of producing a uniform jet of unlimited wldth and power, which can be immediately used for liquids of any consistency, admits of these being heated or cooled, and which may be readily adjusted and cleaned.

Contrary to the known devices this diffuser consists of one integral apparatus though the number of nozzles is unlimited; nevertheless its design is extremely simple and its manufacture therefore cheap.

The essential features of the device forming the subject of the present invention consist in the centralized feed of the substances to be diffused, in the mixing of the said substance to be diffused which. has been disintegrated as far as possible in the device, with another substance, such as compressed air, in the complete disintegration and,.practically, pulverization of the substance or mixture of substances by the same being sent through passages having roughened walls and, if necessary, also crossing each other, and finally in the diffused substance or mixture of substances emerging from a plurality of passage and nozzle orifices arranged in different planes and pointing in sets alternately straight ahead, at an angle to the right and at an angleto the left respectively or otherwise, said orifices being of suitable rectangular section. The result of such arrangement is a centralized control of the quantity of substance being diffused, the possibility of uniformly heating'or cooling the substance to be added such as compressed air, an optional varying of the ratio of mixture of several substances for an unlimited number of nozzles, an unlimited constructional length of the apparatus, so that it may be adapted to shops of-any width, and lastly the production of a final compound jet of absolute uniformity, great width but small height, which has a great striking force and will therefore produce a secure adherence of the substance or mixture of substances to the article to which they are applied.

' In place of compressed, heated or cooled ordinary air a gas or a substance in gaseous form, a mixture of gases or of gases and air or the like may iii certain cases be employed, in order to produce a physical or chemical effect on the substance or the mixture of substances respectively to "be diffused before,

during or after such diffusion. So for instance lacs, varnishes and the like may be applied intimately mixed with oxygen in order to accelerate by such means their oxidization. I

The drawing exemplifiesa constructional form of the present invention which is intended for diffusing liquids, such as paints; by means of compressed air.

Figure l is a perspective View of the diffuser. Fig. 2 is a cross section through the same. Fig. 3 is a multiple orifice nozzle of the diffuser. Fig. 4 is one of the distributing or diffusing plates of the nozzle according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is an auxiliary plate arranged between each two diffusing plates according to Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of this auxiliary plate. Figs. 7 to 11. show various modifications of the plates according to Fig.4, and Fig. 12 is a modification of the Walls of the passages in the plates according to Figs. 4 to 6 and Figs. 7 to 11.

In the drawing a is a housing of any desirable length which is preferably made in two parts so as to admit of a convenient cleaningythis housing may have a section resembling an elongated horseshoe. Into this housing compressed air is supplied at suitable points through pipe 7). Within the housing a is fitted a hollow body 0, preferably open on one side. This hollow body 0 is preferably made of a similar section and the same length as the housing a. Between the housing a and the body 0 remains a free space, in which the compressed air can flow around said body. The inside of the hollow body 0 serves to receive the substance to be 'difi'used, say paint, which in the constructional form under discussion is supplied into the said body 0 at about the same pressure as the compressed air. The liquid is supplied to the said body throughpipes e, which are branched ofl' from a pipe d and are displaceable in stufling boxes 7' in the housing a, so as to allow of adjusting the hollow body 0, guided on pins 9 or the like in a transverse direction in the housing for the purpose of regulating the ratio of mixture between the air and the paint.

At its open end, in Fig. 2 on the right hand side, the housing is closed by a plate h, which is made of the'samelength and preferably ofa V-shaped section. The apex of this V-shaped plate will fit into the slotted opening 11- of the said hollow body 0, bordered by correspondingly beveled flanges t, on the said body 0 being accordingly advanced, so that the liquid emerging from this opening will be distributed uniformly on both sides of plate h. Theplate h is perforated throughout its whole length by holes 2' preferably with exception of the part close to the point of the V-shaped section. These holes are disposed between project-ions 7a or the likeof prismatic or other shape, and turned toward the hollow body 0. These projections form passages, through which the liquid coming from the hollow body 0 must pass, whereby it will be divided into a plurality of currents, which on passing through the holes 2' will be seized by the compressed air flowing from the housing a and will be still further divided thereby.

In front of plate It is secured a hood m, which is of the same length as the housing a. This hood contains the hereinafter described multiple orifice nozzle n, p and leaves between the latter and the plate 71. a free space 0, which serves as a mixing chamber. Into this chamber enter the fine streams passing through the hole's'- in plate h and consisting of a mixture of air and liquid, where they are still further distributed by the com pressed air partly expanding in this chamber. The thus treated mixture of air and liquid which contains the liquid in an already finely distributed state is now difi'used by the mixture in jets, which preferably lie in groups in difierent planes, the jets in each group having the same direction, the direction of the jets of the several groups however differing from each other. So for instance the nozzle according to Fig. 3 will produce jets emergin in four different directions. The jets 0% the first group are directed with regard to Fig. 3 at an angle of 45 from right hand below to left hand top, the jets of the second and third group at an angle of 90 alternately to each other and the jets of the fourth group at an angle of 45 from left hand below to right hand top, to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body.

By such means a bundle of jets is obtained' which will cover a surface in front of the nozzle in a uniform non-striated manner with the liquid difi'us'ed.

The nozzle according to Fig. 3 is made of three plates, of which the two outer ones n may be identical, while the middle one p differs from these in shape. As it is evident from Fig. at the plates n are provided on their one side with a plurality of crossed passages g, which have discharge openings '1' having the same direction. As evident from Fig. 5 the plate 3) need have short assages s only, but these are arranged, as sliown in Fig. 6, on both sides of the plate. The two sets of passages s in plate 1) are alternated to each other. The plates n and p are combined to the block shown in Fig. 3 in such a manner, that on a plate 71., according to Fig. at, the plate p is placed in such a manner, that the passages s on the one side 01' this plate coincide with the upper row of crossings of the passages g in plate n, as is indicatedby the dotted lines in Fig. 4. Then the second plate n is placed on plate p in such a manner, that the upper row of crossings of the passages g in this second plate a again coincide with the passages s on the other side of the plate p. By this arrangement four rows of orifices are obtained sending out jets in three directions. The plates n and 39 may for instance be made of copper plates gro nd against each other, in which the groove-like passages g, r and e of pref erably rectangular section are formed by engraving, etching or other means. According to the purpose intended the section of the plates 12. and p may be varied, so they may be made instead of a rectangular of a wedge shaped section, whereby the passages will no more lie in parallel but in convergent.

planes. The wedge shaped section may for instance be employed if all jets of the nozzle are to be united in as narrow a band as possible. Of course, the multiple orifice nozzle may also be composed of more than three plates. So for instance three plates n may be combined with two plates p in which in stance the middle plate n won (1 be provided with passages g, 1' on both sides. By such means eight groups of jets in eight different planes would be obtained. It is besides not absolutely necessary to have the passages in the plates n run in thedirections as shown in Fig. 4. They may also be arranged in the manner shown in Figs. 7 to 11. The essential feature is that they repeatedly change their direction, so as to have in consequence of. the impact produced at each change of direction as great a disintegrating effect as possible on the liquid currents. The same purpose will be served by the roughened form of the walls of the channels shown in Fig. 12.

.As the compressed air entering into the housin a flows around the hollow body 0, either heated or cooled compressed air may be employed for heatin or keeping hot the liquid in the hollow b0 y, in case suchheating should be desirable, to compensate the drop of temperature caused by the evaporation in consequence of the diffusion, or for cooling the liquid in the hollow body '0 respectively.

The operation of the diffuser is as follows: The compressed air is introduced throughpipe b at several points into the housing a (Fig. 1) and passes into the space 1; between the hollow body 0 and the wall of the'housing a (Fig. 2). If either a warm or hot or a cold compressed air is employed, a li uid contained in the hollow body 0 will e kept warm or heated, or the drop of temperature produced by the expansion of the compressed air is compensated, or the said liquid is cooled respectively. The liq-. uid to be diffused passes from pipe d through pipes 6 into the hollow body 0 preferably un}, der the same pressure as that at which the compressed air enters the housing a. From the hollow body 0 the liquid passes into the passages 10 and 00 formed between the beveled edges t of the hollow body and the plates 72. where it meets with the compressed air coming from chamber 4;. The liquid is then divided in the passages between the projections 7:: on plate it and forced in numerous fine streams through the holes 6 in plate It and then further distributed by the compressed air partly expanding in chamber 0. The liquid is thrown against the preferably ribbed lower edges and e of plates 12. and 2, preferably beveled for formin V-shaped longitudinal grooves and is tien driven through the only possible exit, namely the passages in plates n and 77. In these passages the liquid is completely disintegrated and emerges in form of a fine dust from the orifices of the passages arranged in different planes and pointing in rou s in three alternate directions. y t e irections of the various sets of rays aiternating, whereby the formation of cones occurring with diflusers of known design is considerabl reduced, and by the various groups of orifices bein arranged in different planes it is' obtaine on the one hand, that each individual jet will be strongly formed up to a given distance from the orifice by a mixing of several jets being avoided, on the other hand that by the jets of the various groups crossing each other a bundle of jets is produced of the greatest possible uniformity, great power and unlimited width (even up to several meters)." It is out of question for parts of the work to remain uncovered or be doubly covered. The cooperation of the jets, of which preferably the same number is directed vertically and obliquely in the two directions results in the production of longitudinally overlapping elliptic fields, a consequence of the rectangular shapeof the orifices. The efiect is therefore a broad powerful band of paint on the piece of work in which the two longitudinal edges are but slightly defined. As the hollow body a can be displaced in the housing a by means of tube e, the section of the passages w and m can be varied thereby and the outlet of liquid from the hollow body 0 be controlled. The displacing of the hollow body 0 in the housing may also be etfected in any other suitable manner.

. The subject matter of the present invention is suited for difi'using liquid but also dry pulviform substances by means of compressed air, gas or the like, and also for diffusing a liquid under pressure without the use of compressed air or the like, or several substances liquid or pulviform, or liquid and pulviform, under the same or' difierent pressures, introduced separately into and mixed in the apparatus.

I claim: 7

1. A diffuser comprising a system of passages of awidth corresponding to the width of the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to be diii'used is fed, the said system of jpassages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely diffused jets, the passages in said system of passages arranged in groups in different planes, the passages lying in the same plane repeatedly changing its direction in order to increase the fine disintegration of the substance .to be difiused, the orifices of the passages of each group havin the same direction, the direction of the ori ces of the various groups being at an angle to each other. e

2. A difiuser comprising asystem of passages of a widthcorresponding to the width of the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to be difiused is fed, the said system of passages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely diffused jets, the passages in said systemof passages arranged in groups in different planes, the passages lying in the same plane repeatedly changing its direction in order to increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be difiused, the orifices of the passages of each group havin thesame direction, the direction of the ori ces of the various groups being at an angle to each j as other, the said system of passages consisting such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming the roof of the hannels in the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions; and adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle.

3. A diffusercomprising a system of passages of a width corresponding to the width of the piece-of work, into which system of passages the substance to be difiused is fed, the said system ofp'assages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely difiused jets, the passagesin said system of passages arranged in groups in different planes, the passages lying in the same plane repeatedly changing its direction in order to increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be diffused, the orifices of the passages of each group having the same direction, the direction of the orifices of the various groups being at an angle to each other, the said system of passages consisting of channels formed on the side of several narrow plates fitted exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, eachplate forming the roof of the channels in the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and adapted to serve as multiple.

orifice nozzle, and a mixing chamber providedin front of the composite body containing the system of passages.

4. A difi'user comprising a system of pas sages of-a width correspondingto the width of the piece of work,into which system of passages the substance to be diflused is fed, the said system of passages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely diffused jets, the passages insaid system of passages arranged in groups in different planes, the passages lying in the same plane repeatedly changing its direction in order to increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be difiused, the orifices of the passages of each group having the same direction, the direction of the orifices of the various groups being at an angle to each otherf the said system of passages consisting of channels formed on the side of several 7 narrow plates fitted exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming" the roof of the channels in the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and

adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle, a mixing chamber provided in front of the composite body containing the system of passages, and a long perforated plate, leading the substance to be difi'used and the substance to be mixed thereto into said mixing chamber'in a plurality of currents.

5. A difi'user comprising a system of passages of a width corresponding to'the width of the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to be diffused is fed, the said system of passages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely difiused jets, the passages in said system of passages arranged in groups in different planes, the passages lying in the same plane repeatedly changing its direct-ion in order to increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be difi'used, the orifices of the passages of each group having the same direction, the direction of the orifices of the various groups being at an angle to each other, the said system of passages consistingof channels formed on the side of several narrow plates fitted exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming the roof of the channels in the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle, a mixing chamber provided in front of the composite body containing the system of passages, into which mixing chamber the substance to be difi'used and the substance to be mixed thereto are introduced in a plurality of currents, the entrance of said substances into the mixing chamber leading through a long perforated plate, and studded with projections of suitable shape, between which the entrance holes are disposed and thereby adapted to divide the substance to be diffused and the substance to be mixed thereto into a plurality of currents in the passages formed by said pro jections, said currents being further divided on passing through said holes.

6. A ditiuser comprising a system of passages of a width corresponding to the width of the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to be difiused is fed, the said system of passages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely difi'used jets, the passages in said system of passages arranged in groups in difi'erent planes, the orifices of the passages of each group having the same direction, the

direction of the orifices of the various groupsbeing at an angle to each other, the said system of passages consisting of channels in several narrow plates fitting exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming the root of the channels of the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle, a mixing chamber provided in front of the composite body containin the system of passages, into which mixin 0 amber the substances to be difi'used and t e substances to be mixed thereto are introduced in a plurality of currents, the entrance of said substances into the mixin chamber leading through a long perforate plate, and studded with projections of suitable shape, between which the entrance holes are disposed and thereb adapted to divide the substances to be di used and the substance to be mixed thereto into a lurality of currents in the passages formed y said projections, said curre'nts being further divided on passing through said holes, the inside hollow body containing the substance to be diffused arranged in a similar outside hollow body containing the substance to be mixed to the substance to be difitused, so as to leave a free space all around.

7. A difi'user comprising a system of passages of a width corresponding to the width of the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to be difi'used is fed, the said system of passages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely diffused jets, the passages in said system of passages arranged in groups in different planes, the orifices of the passages of each group having the same direction, the direction of the ori cos of the various roups being at an angle to each other, the said system of passages consisting of channels in several narrow plates fitting exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming the roof of the channels of the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle, a mixin chamber provided in front of the composlte body containin the system o f passages, into which mixingc amber the substances to be diffused and the substance to be mixed thereto are introduced in a plurality of currents, the entrance of said substances into the mixing chamber leadin through a longsperforated plate, and studde' with projections of suitable shape, between which the entrance holes are disposed and thereby adapted to divide the substances to be diflused and the substanceto be mixed thereto into a plurality of currents in the passages formed by said projections, said currents being further divided on passing through said holes, the inside hollow body containing the substance to be difiused ar ranged in a similar outside hollow body containing the substance to be mixed to the substance to be diffused, so as to leave a free space all around, said inside hollow body displaceable in said outside hollow body in a manner adapted to vary its distance from the said perforated cover plate of the mixing chamber and therewith also the ratio at which said substances are mixed.

8. A difi'user comprising a system of assages of a width corresponding to the width of the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to be diffused is fed, the said system of passages having orlfices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely difiused jets, the passages in said system of passages arranged in groups in different planes, the orifices of the passages of each group having the same direction, the direction of the orifices ofthe various groups being at an angle to each other, the said system, of passages consisting of channels in several narrow plates fitting exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming the roof of the channels of the adjoining plate, a long narrow body'is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle, the walls of said passages being roughened in a manner adapted to increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be diffused, a mixing chamber provided in front of the composite body containing the systemof passages, into which mixing chamber the substances to be diffused and the substance to bemixed thereto are introduced in a plurality of currents, the entrance of said substances into the mixing chamber leading through a long perforated plate, and studded with projections of suitable shape, between which the entrance holes are disposed and thereby adapted to divide the substances to v be diffused and the substance to be mixed thereto into a plurality of currents in the passages formed by saidl projections, said currents being further divided on passing through said holes, the inside hollow body containing the substance to be diffused ar: ranged in a similar outside hollow body containing the substaiice to be mixed to the substance to be diffused, so as to; leave a free space all around, said inside hollow body displaceable in said outside hollow body in a manner adapted to vary its distance from i the said perforated cover plate of the mixof the piece of work, into which system of passages the substance to bediifused is fed,

the said system of passages having orifices adapted to let the said substance escape in finely difiused jets, the passages in said sysuser comprising a system of passages of a width corresponding to the width tem of passages arranged in groups in different planes,the passages lying in the same plane repeatedly changing its direction in order to increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be diffused, the orifices of the passages of each group havin the same direction, the direction of the ori ces of the various groups being at an angle to each other, the said system of passages consisting of channels formed on the side of several narrow plates fitting exactly on each other in such a manner, that by the combination of said plates, each plate forming the roof of the channels in the adjoining plate, a long narrow body is produced transected by said system of passages in various directions, and

adapted to serve as multiple orifice nozzle, the walls of said passages being roughened in a manner adaptedto increase the fine disintegration of the substance to be diffused, a mixing chamber provided in front I of the composite body containing the'system of passages, into which mixing chamber the substances to be difi'used and the substance to be mixed thereto are introduced in a plurality of currents, the entrance of said substance into the mixing chamber leading through a long perforated V-shaped plate, studded with projections of suitable shape, between which the entrance holes are disposed and thereby-adapted to divide the substances to be diffused and the substance to be mixed thereto into a plurality of currents in the passages formed by said projections, said currents being further divided on passing through said holes, the inside hollow body containing the substance to be diffused arranged in a similar outside hollow body containing'the substance to be mixed to the su-bstance'to be diffused, so as to leave a free space all around, said inside hollow body displaceable in said outside hollow body in a manner adapted to vary its distance "from the said erforated cover plate of the mix ing oh no r and therewith also the ratio at which said substances aremixed, an edged rib protruding from said long narrow body and leading the substance to be diffused and the substance to be mixed thereto to the said groups of passages.

In,,testimony whereof I aiflx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

/ FRITZ c. WICKEL.

'Witnesses:

HENRY HAsPER, I WoLnmrAR HAUIPT. 

